In 1962 the Skelmersdale Development Corporation was set up with nine board members and 400 members of staff to build the new town fit for a population of over 80,000 people.

It has not yet reached the total capacity with only 35,000 living there according to the census in 2001, despite this Skem is the most populated part of the West Lancashire borough.

Skelmersdale appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was officially designated as a New Town in 1961, part of a government led plans to help with the overspill from other areas in Merseyside, such as Liverpool.

In our amazing gallery that looks back at the town being built you can see it's transformation led by chief architect Mr Derek Lyddon.

If you have any pictures of Skelmersdale you would like to share with us email rebecca.koncienzcy@trinitymirror.com